The following is from T.
I witnessed the sacrament of anointing the sick this morning after our 8:15 mass. What a glorious thing the Lord has given us in the sacraments, especially this one.
I found out about the ritual before mass started. It also came with the news that an acquaintance and spouse of a scouting friend has been going through chemo for breast cancer. As I was listening to mass the thought kept coming to me. How would I treat this mass if this was the very last mass I would ever be able to attend? It is quite the contemplation. Every day we know the sun comes up. Life goes on, but what if mine didn’t. All the usual participants at morning mass would keep coming. New faces would join in as is always the case, but I wouldn’t be there. Consequently, the mass took on a whole new appreciation today. The readings were more relevant, they were the last ones I would hear. The homily was especially good. Was it because I was paying better attention or was there just an extra spark in the air today. There definitely was when it came to greeting your neighbor. It was like seeing friends and knowing you were going away, what a wonder a handshake is, especially when you add “and Peace be with You”. Then came the Eucharist. I caught myself thinking about the, what if it really was my last mass and how the next time I saw the Lord it would be in the flesh. That was a little scary because I know I am not ready for that. Not that I don’t want to see the Lord, but I would hope I am in a better place with my relationship with the Lord before that time comes. Anyway, it was a delightful experience. As we were singing the closing song I had the thought “Wow, what if this isn’t my last mass but someone else who is here”. I looked around at all the faces, of people I know, and those I don’t. I thought shame on me that I don’t know all these people. What can I do to make their day better? Why am I thinking this stuff and what is it that the Lord wants me to do? I’m still contemplating as I have all day, but I thought maybe it was just to put down the thoughts that were going through my head so others may experience the mass as their last one also. It is probably a good idea if we treat every mass that way. Even a better idea if we go every day. Why waste an opportunity?
After mass about 14 or 15 stayed behind to attend the anointing. It is such a blessing that the Lord gave us priests and commanded them to lay their hands on us to help us. I know we all pray about getting healthy when we are sick. We never want to be sick, much less deal with something that could potentially be terminal. Today, we were together, praying for a friend. Watching as she received a wonderful sacrament. As badly as I feel for her having to deal with her infirmity, it was as if everything was exactly the way the Lord wanted it to be. Ask and you shall receive. We know not what plans the Lord has for us, but this morning I felt the Holy Spirit through everyone there. Praise God…and a glorious way to start the day.
May the peace of the Lord be with you Marilyn.
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